Synonyms for

Pests

Verb / pests / Another word for pests — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Pests are animals or insects that cause damage to crops, property, or people.

Synonyms & similar words

cuss pestis pesterer pest blighter gadfly plague pestilence vermin insects rodents bugs critters varmints nuisances plagues infestations parasites weeds pestilence swarms

Synonyms by register

Formal

nuisances vermin infestations blights

Informal

critters bugs nasties troublemakers

Literary

scourges plagues afflictions

Antonyms

benefactors assets treasures boons blessings assets

Common collocations

  • common pests
  • household pests
  • garden pests
  • pest control
  • pest infestation
  • pest management
  • pest problem

Word family

noun pest
verb pester
adjective pestilent

Usage note

Pests typically refers to organisms that are harmful or annoying, especially to humans. The verb 'pester' means to annoy or trouble someone persistently.

Example sentences

  1. The pests have eaten all of the leaves on the tomato plants.
  2. We need to get rid of the pests in the house.
  3. The farmer uses pesticides to control pests on his crops.
  4. The pests have infested the attic and are causing damage.
  5. The exterminator was called to deal with the pest problem in the restaurant.

Quotes

  • "The best way to get rid of pests is to prevent them from entering the house in the first place." - Unknown
  • "Insects are not pests, they are just trying to survive and reproduce like all other living things." - Unknown
  • "Our greatest glory is not in never having pests, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words